The 35 Scariest Movies of All Time

Damon BeresAug 10

We sorted through the scariest movies out there and picked the most ghoulish and jaw-dropping horror films. Sleep tight.

It (2017)

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One of the scariest movies because: Well… clowns. The latest adaptation of Stephen King’s frightful page-turner that debuted September 8 just surpassed The Exorcist for the highest-grossing R-rated scary movie ever.

“Beyond killer clowns, It also delves into the grief & anger kids feel when they realize those who should love & protect them do the opposite. These are themes in King’s stories that filmmakers often ignore. But the best adaptations figure out they’re the most vital part.”—Anthony Breznican, EW. This one’s definitely not for children, folks. If you’re looking for some kid-friendly picks, check out the best Halloween movies for kids.

The Exorcist (1973)

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One of the scariest movies because: Terrible, terrible things come out of a little girl’s mouth (which happens to be attached to a spinning head, thanks to a demonic possession). Audiences were so affected by this fearsome film that some theaters even provided “Exorcist barf bags.”

The Shining (1980)

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One of the scariest movies because: Jack Nicholson is seriously freaky as crazed novelist Jack Torrance, who [spoiler alert] tries to chop his family to little bits after a particularly stressful winter.

What the critics say: “Scaring the viewer is easy… What is harder is to accentuate the horrifying aspects of things that are familiar… Kubrick isn’t out for screams, but he manages to make his movie thoroughly unnerving by keeping the horror so close to home.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times. If fake horror movies don’t scare you, binge watch these 11 true crime movies that will chill you to the bone.

Poltergeist (1982)

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One of the scariest movies because: Things aren’t what they seem in Poltergeist: A static TV screen releases evil spirits, invisible beings rearrange furniture, and houses move through dimensions, which might make shadows seem a bit menacing as you settle into bed after watching.

What the critics say: “…a marvelously spooky ghost story that may possibly scare the wits out of very small children and offend those parents who believe that kids should be protected from their own, sometimes savage imaginations.”—Vincent Canby, The New York Times

The Evil Dead (1979)

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One of the scariest movies because: It’s so packed with evil that even the trees rip hapless teenagers apart in this pre-Spider-Man flick from director Sam Raimi, which has enough murder and supernatural mayhem to warrant an NC-17 rating.

What the critics say: “Sam Raimi directed this 1983 horror feature fresh out of film school, and his anything-for-an-effect enthusiasm pays off … The film is ferociously kinetic and full of visual surprises.”—Pat Graham, Chicago Reader. Aside from these spine-tingling movies, make sure you add these 15 spookiest songs of all time to your scary music playlist.

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

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One of the scariest movies because: This recent movie lampoons horror conventions while packing in some thrills of its own—a hulking family of zombies is mostly meant to be funny, but they’re sort of disturbing.

What the critics say: “It is by turns moderately horrifying and wickedly funny, offering more nods and winks than a narcoleptic on jury duty.”—Christopher Orr, The Atlantic. If staying in a haunted cabin is your cup of tea, here are 8 haunted houses you can rent on Airbnb.

Alien (1979)

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One of the scariest movies because: The suspense mounts until it’s nearly unbearable, and then, finally [spoiler alert!], a bizarre creature rips through a man’s chest. After that, the real horror begins.

What the critics say: “Even with its horrifying villain and scenes of bloody excess, Alien endures as a superior piece of filmmaking, with a pace that’s like watching an art film.”—Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle

Coraline (2009)

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One of the scariest movies because: It’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing: a disarmingly creepy tale about lost children and an evil witch, whom viewers may find more familiar than the cackling hags of old-fashioned fairy tales.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

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One of the scariest movies because: Who wants to imagine being eaten by Anthony Hopkins?

What the critics say: “For all the unbridled savagery on display, what is shrewd, significant and finally hopeful about Silence of the Lambs is the way it proves that a movie can be mercilessly scary and mercifully humane at the same time.”—Peter Travers, Rolling Stone. The critically acclaimed film won five Oscars in 1992. Here are 11 other surprising films that you forgot won Oscars.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

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One of the scariest movies because: Worse than Anthony Hopkins, who wants to imagine being eaten by hordes of undead strangers?

What the critics say: “George Romero’s remarkably assured debut, made on a shoestring, about a group of people barricaded inside a farmhouse while an army of flesh-eating zombies roams the countryside, deflates all genre clichés.”—Elliott Stein, Village Voice

The Host (2007)

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One of the scariest movies because: It’s genuinely surprising: Movie monsters are often slow and stupid, but the beast in this Korean film is fast, even calculating. Creepy.

What the critics say: “A gross, scary, funny, and dramatically satisfying ride… it’s enough to make you think twice about that river-rafting trip you were planning for next summer.”—Dana Stevens, Slate.Next, check out our picks for the 13 thriller novels you need to read right now!

Ring / “Ringu” (1998)

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One of the scariest movies because: It’s about a killer videotape—which doesn’t bode well for the viewer of this unsettling Japanese original. More atmospheric than the American remake, Ring is worth a late-night viewing.

Saw (2004)

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One of the scariest movies because: Even though the death traps are beyond gruesome—though, clever in this first Saw film, tortuous in its sequels—what’s scariest is that you just might understand the villain’s twisted motives by the end of the film.

What the critics say: “A messy, gristle-cut B psycho thriller that makes you squirm a few times, but mostly makes you giggle.”—Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Nosferatu, a Symphony of Horror (1922)

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One of the scariest movies because: The silent film doesn’t have today’s blood ‘n’ guts special effects, but director F. W. Murnau still creates a creepy, nightmarish setting with shadows and tension. Brilliant.

What the critics say: “Remains one of the most poetic of all horror films”—Time Out

Black Swan (2010)

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One of the scariest movies because: Determined women dance ballet, vigorously, and Winona Ryder gouges her face with a nail file. Black Swan is an award-winning blend of highbrow suspense and horror schlock.

What the critics say: “It’s outlandish and melodramatic and spectacular… a magnificent blend of pop and art cinema.”—Andrew O’Hehir, Salon

Hellraiser (1987)

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One of the scariest movies because: This murderfest is filled with unsavory characters—humans with dark personalities and darker motives, plus an assortment of bizarre and terrifying beasts. Not for the faint of heart.

What the critics say: “It’s the voluptuous residues of Hellraiser, not a low-voiced dude with a porcupine head, that spark the fear of mortality.”—Eric Henderson, Slant

Carrie (1976)

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One of the scariest movies because: Thanks to inspired directing from Brian De Palma, every moment in this film is filled with dread as the story inches toward its big, bloody finish.

What the critics say: “Brian De Palma’s Carrie is an absolutely spellbinding horror movie, with a shock at the end that’s the best thing along those lines since the shark leaped aboard in Jaws.“—Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)

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One of the scariest movies because: It might not seem horrifying on the surface, but director Steven Spielberg revels in layering on pulpy gross-out moments: a feast of monkey brains! bugs crawling everywhere! a shamanic ritual removing a man’s still-beating heart! While not traditional gore or suspense, the yucky bits stay with you after the lights are on.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

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One of the scariest movies because: Haley Joel Osment’s Academy Award-nominated performance is chilling. “I see dead people” is one of recent cinema’s most famous lines for a reason.

What the critics say: “The movie is a maximum creep-out. It’s invasive. It’s like an enema to the soul as it probes the ways of death—some especially grotesque in a family setting.”—Stephen Hunter, Washington Post.Learn these famous one-liners from movies that you’ll want to say over and over again.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

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One of the scariest movies because: It’s styled like a documentary, making the terror startlingly plausible.

What the critics say: “The Blair Witch Project leaves its horror to the audience’s imagination, and in doing so creates a truly scary horror film, something akin to a lost art these days.”—Keith Phipps, The A.V. Club

Candyman (1992)

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One of the scariest movies because: It plays on the ol’ “Bloody Mary” game: After seeing what the murderous spirit in this movie has in store, you simply won’t be able to repeat “Candyman” in front of a mirror. Promise.

What the critics say: “A startlingly effective shocker that gains power upon further, sleepless-night reflection.”—Eric Henderson, Slant. Looking to lighten the mood now? These are the 100 funniest movies of all time.

Get Out (2017)

One of the scariest movies because: It weaves the current tensions in our society with more far-fetched ideas that combine to make the viewer feel like this could actually happen someday.

What the critics say: “More than just a standard-issue thriller, this brutal, smart movie is impeccably made, as well as surprising, shocking, and funny, while also offering a compassionate, thoughtful look at race.” ––Jeffery M. Anderson, Common Sense Media

A Quiet Place (2018)

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One of the scariest movies because: Aliens have attacked the planet and they destroy anything with sound. This film follows one of the few surviving families, with so many twists, turns, and jump scares, you won’t know what hit you.

What the critics say: “A Quiet Place lives up to the ambitious challenge that it sets for itself, taking audiences on a compelling and suspenseful journey along the way.” ––Sandy Schaefer, Screen Rant

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

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One of the scariest movies because: Satanism and pregnancy together make for the most disturbing, unraveling two hours of your life.

What the critics say: “Rosemary’s Baby is high-gloss tosh made high-class horror very expertly by Roman Polanski, making his Hollywood debut and a leap from arthouse darling to hot commercial player.” ––Angie Errigo, Empire. If you prefer your horrors on the page, check out the 20 scariest books ever written.

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